Insects in the East of England

Half of all species on Earth are in fact insects and they live in pretty much every habitat. Without them our lives would be very different, they pollinate our fruit and flowers, they are food for birds and mammals. From predators, herbivores, parasites and scavengers, so many benefit the natural world and help keep the balance of nature.

Rare insects like ant lions, may not be easily seen. So why tell you about them? Well they're Britain's rarest predator and they can be found in the sandy banks at Dunwich Heath. In a scene straight out of science fiction, their larva lays in wait, lurking ready to pierce unfortunate prey with large mandibles!

Many nationally rare species of beetle have been discovered at Hatfield Forest in Essex. The veteran trees and fallen wood support large numbers of saproxylic beetles (deadwood beetles) including lesser stag, rhinoceros and longhorn beetles.

The adult green tiger beetle is one of the fastest running insects in the world. It is an awesome predator that hunts just about any insect or spider and can be easily identified by it's size and striking metallic-green colour. Look out for them on hot sandy paths as they chase after their prey at West Runton in Norfolk.

Faced by loss of habitat, disease, pesticides and climate change, honey bees have a lot to contend with. So we've set about creating bee-friendly gardens and have introduced hives at Felbrigg Hall, Peckover House and Oxburgh Hall. At Wimpole Estate we've also got a special observation hive so you can watch the bees at work.

Autumn’s a great time of year to go wildlife spotting. As our conservation work of their habitats continues and the season advances, you’ll see vibrant colours interspersed with the signs of nature all around you.